Me and LB

[Furhvstr]

Well after four internet years we got together and got out.
Nice guy and pretty much done it all when it comes to varmint hunting.
Spent over eleven hours together checking/pulling some of my cage trap lines and night hunting along the way. Caught one cat but it was a little small to be keeping in this down market so let it go. LB got a pic so maybe he can post it.
We shinned up a real bucket head Tom and put it in the truck and another cat that wouldn't cooperate. Couple grey fox and a kit.
To cap the night off we found a vehicle parked in an unusual spot along the way and after looking a bit closer we found it's apparent owner face down dead outside the passenger side. Looked like an old military vet type guy probably had a heart attack. After meeting the cops at the closest intersection and leading them 15 or so miles out from the hwy to the scene it was 5:30 am or so before we got home.

Just another day on the trap line!
ML

[mostinterestingmanintheworld]

Dang I'd have liked to have been along on that hunt!!

Scott Byrd found a dead man a couple of years ago and the local govt. trapper found one burned up recently.

He thought it was something else until he stirred the ashes and found tooth fillings.

[Bristleback]

Poor critters didn't stand much of a chance with the 2 of you together, cool!
Quite a "night"

[JHughes]

I bet that was a treat. For both of you. Sounds like a lot of fun. But not sure about the part "Just another day on the trap line!"
Finding dead guys?! That's sure to cut down on the stand-count! LOL

Joel

[lb]

Yeah, I just got up about thirty minutes ago.

Personally, I think it's pretty amazing to get a cat to go in a cage, and Mercer certainly has a system. I wanted to see it in action and got my wish, in spades. When you think about it, it makes perfect sense, if you know a few things about bobcats.

For me, it's only a curiosity. Considering my location, I can't run a trapline, even if I had the motivation, but it's very interesting to see how it comes together. Even his cage design is clever, and he's a sheet metal mechanic, (among his many talents) so the finished product looks professional in every way.

That cat was (ahem) a dual effort, so I don't mind standing there, even though Mercer made the shot. Truthfully, I don't have a California hunting or trapping license and didn't have a gun on board. I was literally a ride along, just an observer and brilliant conversationalist, but I didn't spin yarns all night, something which I found out later was a disappointment. But, I know how to transition from teacher to student and this stuff (cage trapping) was completely foreign to me.

Two things, this morning I still have a couple 17Mk4 rounds in my pocket and I forgot to get a cage from him for a local problem I have been having. Maybe next time?

He's a good guy but he could have been a "little" less amazed and astounded when the Deputy asked what year I was born. I suspect the dead guy was about my age? You never know, I could keel over at any time?

Good hunting. LB

edit: It was very interesting, when we went down the hill and met three units of the Sheriff's Department. and led them to the location, which they would never have found, on their own. They kept us away from the "crime scene" and actually took a photo of the bottom of my boots, asked the mfg and boot size so they could tell something about the tracks around the man's vehicle....although it was raining at the time? But still, an interesting night.

Thanks, Mercer!

[lb]

Released cat, too small. Amazing stuff! As close as I have ever been to a live bobcat.

[SteveCraig]

Trapper Len!!!!
You couldnt have picked a better guy to be with. Mercer knows how to trap cats.
Glad you guys had fun.
Steve

[trappincoyotes39]

actually cats are easy to cage trap be it bobc or long tails our dept uses large cages for long tails alot and the success rate is good. Alot of first time cat trappers catch there first Bob with live traps, but like anything else they aren't 100% either. Great pics and I'll pass on the dead guys.